Autumn Porch Decorating Contest 2009

Autumn Porch Decorating Contest 2009: This was our very first autumn contest and it was well received!

We're so delighted with all the entries we received - autumn porches from Michigan to Texas and from Pennsylvania to California.

Thank you, all, for sharing your porch pictures and stories with us. You are wonderful!

Our 1st place winner - "Make Yourself Comfortable"

By Dee (Medford, MA)

Photo courtesy of DeeMake Yourself Comfortable

We love our big farmer's porch and try to make it as inviting and cozy as we can. We have plenty of mums and earthy decorations such as pumpkins, gourds, and all kinds of squashes.

The pumpkin lanterns and black cat add just enough whimsy to get us into the Halloween spirit!

*** Our congratulations to Dee ***

Our 2nd place winner - "Our Country Home in the Fall"

By Rhonda Armitage (Salt Lick, KY)

Photo courtesy of RhondaOur country home in the fall

Most of the things we have been collecting for the 33 years we have been married, but each year, but buy new mums, we keep our money all year long in our MUM jar. My son, husband and I enjoy decorating for the seasons.

We tried something new this year by adding cabinets on the porch, and our old spinning wheel, we're just plain old country people want want our home to have that feel.

Photo courtesy of RhondaOur country home in the fall

We want people to drive by our home and realize that there is a lot of love here.

We have never had a lot of money to decorate, so for the 33 years we have been married, we've collected decorations for each season, year after year, and all we add to the collection, are the fresh flowers, in the fall, it's mums.

We have a "mum" jar, and we pitch our extra change in it each year, so that's how we come up with the money to get them, and never miss it.

*** Our congratulations to Rhonda ***

Autumn Splendor

By Beth @ TheStoriesofA2Z (Harrisburg, PA)

I was inspired by the sheer beauty of our surrounding country-side and wanted to bring it home with me to the city. I painted the numbers on the pumpkins using a stencil and arranged the rest of my elements in a manner that celebrated all-things-fall.

This is one side of the front porch...a palette of all colors greet visitors to our home.

Loving Fall in Oregon Front Porch

By Marla (Springfield, OR)

Photo courtesy of MarlaLooking at my fall porch

I spent a few hours preparing some of my front porch items that needed refreshing. I painted flower pots black, sewed fall pillows for the rockers, and planted, planted, planted.

It's beautiful this time of year in Oregon and I'm delighted to share my porch with you.

Photo courtesy of MarlaEntry welcome

I spruced up my pots with spray paint and planted lots of flowers, added my pumpkins and wreath, and let the best decor, the sun, shine on my front porch.

It's beautiful this time of year in Oregon.

We've Gone Batty!

By Karla Swoveland (Tacoma, WA)

Photo courtesy of KarlaAll Dressed Up For Halloween!

Photo courtesy of KarlaAll Dressed Up For Halloween!

Every year my kids and I do a craft for Halloween that we can use as decor. This year, we chose to make bats that would be hung all over our front porch. The look makes a statement and kids (young and old) seem to love it!

With the bats "flying" around, pumpkins sprinkled on the ground, cornstalks standing in their places, and a few crows added in for good measure, it can only mean one thing...we're ready for Halloween!

Photo courtesy of KarlaOur Countdown To Halloween Chalkboard!

Every year my kids and I do a craft for Halloween that we can use as decor. This year, we chose to make bats that would be hung all over our front porch. The look makes a statement and kids (young and old) seem to love it!

With the bats "flying" around, pumpkins sprinkled on the ground, cornstalks standing in their places, and a few crows added in for good measure, it can only mean one thing...we're ready for Halloween!

Check out my blog for more pictures of our Halloween front porch at:

It's the Little Things that Make a House a Home

Fall in Port Austin Michigan

By Kathleen (Port Austin, MI)

Photo courtesy of KathleenAhh Fall!

I like to decorate for fall with just a touch of Halloween. We live in an area where there are no trick or treaters so I try to make the porch welcoming for people driving by.

On warmer fall days I enjoy sitting out there enjoying the fall colors.

Photo courtesy of KathleenAhh Fall!

Fall is one of the nicest times in Michigan and there isn't a better spot to enjoy it.

Photo courtesy of KathleenA place to rest and enjoy the fall colors

My front porch looks out over a large wooded area. The maple and oak trees put on quite a show.

A Farmhouse Country Harvest...

By Dee (Pinebarrens, NJ)

Photo courtesy of DeeA Farmhouse Country Harvest

Photo courtesy of DeeA Farmhouse Country Harvest

Photo courtesy of DeeA Farmhouse Country Harvest

Photo courtesy of DeeWelcome folks

Autumn time at our Farmhouse is bustling with activities and decorating our entryway with some old fashioned country goodness is a welcoming way to start the season!

A handmade wreath hung on the screen door and a pile of pumpkins overflowing from an old farm crate says come on up folks and sit a spell!

Blog: Farm House Country Style

Pumpkin Porch

By Randee (Orange CA)

Photo courtesy of RandeePumpkin Porch

I love my porch. You don't see many porches in Southern Calif.

So Fall is an especially fun time of year to decorate.

Photo courtesy of RandeePumpkin Porch

You can do so much with these stacking clay pots.

Photo courtesy of RandeePumpkin Porch

This antique orange enamel pitcher, was perfect for my Pumpkin Porch after I painted a pumpkin on it.

Just a Few Friendly Ghosts

By Anita K. Williams (Harrison, Indiana)

Photo courtesy of Anita K. WilliamsJust a few friendly ghosts

For three years now I have added the ghosts to the decor of the front entry to our home. They are made out of sheet material with black felt. You can do any combination of large or small ghosts and they are slipped over tomato cages. This is always a big hit with my neighbors when I start decorating for fall and Halloween.

I have a timer on the outside plug to turn the lights on at dark and shut off at midnight. The lights are just Christmas lights wrapped around the cages.

The pumpkins are taped and striped with black paint. I did this combination due to the "Bengals NFL" and to tie in the ribbon color on the wreaths. The pumpkins house black crows on the stems.

Photo courtesy of Anita K. WilliamsThree very friendly ghosts

The wreaths are greenery underneath, attached are the fall leaves and orange and black stripped ribbon. I inserted feathers in the wreath also. The wreath on the right side of the door has an owl perched in the middle of the wreath; the left wreath has a large crow.

Mums in the large urns are different colors every year. This year I chose a yellow golden color to give it a pop of color.

Beginning to Feel like Fall...

By Lisa (Nebraska)

Photo courtesy of LisaMy Grandma's swing in fall attire....

I live in a quaint home once lived in by my Grandma Rhoda. Come sit a spell. The porch I have decorated with the warmth and glow of autumn feel and upon entering my only wish is that it will make you want to sit, have a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy a relaxing moment.

I love fall and all it brings and just hope my porch brings a welcome smile to those that approach it.

I have utilized a vintage quilt to attire my Grandma's red porch swing, lots of vintage furniture decorated with the colors of fall and many pumpkins and guards a trademark that fall has arrived.

Photo courtesy of LisaEmbrace the Day

More of my quaint front porch.....I love anything vintage and using a vintage gate, old porch decorations, a milk container and watering can I have attired it all in fall decor incorporating the vintage feel with the autumn warmth and feel. I want one to feel welcoming upon entering my home.

Photo courtesy of LisaThe Fall Choir

More of my quaint front porch.....I love anything vintage I want one to feel welcoming upon entering my home. My gourds will bring a smile to your face and remind you that fall is in the air upon passers by.

My blog: Warm Heart Cozy Home

Welcome Friends and Fall...

By Kimberly (Texas)

Photo courtesy of KimberlyWelcome friends and fall

I started with wire urns and filled them with lots of pumpkins and fall flora. I added the wreath, more pumpkins,scarecrow and welcome mat.

Welcome to the Porch

By Helene (Bloomingburg)

Photo courtesy of HeleneWelcome to the porch

Photo courtesy of HeleneWelcome to the porch

Hi,

Our porch is a beautiful wrap around porch providing perfect "Nooks" to decorate. My husband and I enjoy going to our local markets to find all of the fall goodies.

When we come home we mix and match to create something in every "Nook" then we just warm up the cider sit back and enjoy. The photo that has the ghost in it is across from our rocking chairs and looks out onto our front yard.

The 2nd photo with the pumpkin birdhouse, welcomes our friends from the side porch.

My Autumn Wreath

By Anita K Williams (West Harrison, Indiana)

The wreaths are greenery underneath, attached are the fall leaves and orange and black stripped ribbon.

I inserted feathers in the wreath also. The wreath on the right side of the door has an owl perched in the middle of the wreath; the left wreath has a large crow.

The wreath is just part of my autumn porch decor. You can see the rest of my porch in "Just a Few Friendly Ghosts".

Harvest Your Blessings

by Jennifer (southern CA)

Photo courtesy of JenniferHarvest your blessings

It started with the wreath, and then the urns. I had to do something fun with them and I love pumpkins, so I picked these, any kind will do! And I love to greet my family and friends with a special message on my chalkboard.

Happy Harvest

By Betty Wright (Lodi, CA)

Photo courtesy of Betty WrightHappy harvest

Scarecrows fabric, corn stalks, pumpkins

Natural Decor for Fall

By Roeshel (PA)

Photo courtesy of RoeshelOur fall entryway

Hi! I'm Roeshel from The DIY Show Off, a blog where I showcase my DIY projects. I decorated my back patio (believe it or not we don't have a front door...but that's a long story) using natural treasures I discovered around our yard.

Branches became swags for the French doors. Window boxes are decorated using leaves, birch bark, pinecones, grapes, silver dollar plants and acorns for filler.

I think they turned about more beautiful that anything I could have put together from the store. What do you think?

You can see more photos and details in my blog.

Fall on My Porch

By Kimm (New Albany, OH)

Photo courtesy of KimmPumpkin Topiaries for Fall

I made pumpkin topiaries with hot glue and artificial pumpkins from the craft store. They are stacked on hand painted terra cotta pots with a leafy garland accent.

My signature monogrammed front door has been repainted for the season.

Fall in Frisco, TX

by Shana Burdette (Frisco TX)

Photo courtesy of ShanaFall in Frisco TX

This is the porch I brought my first born son home to last fall. I will always associate this scene with that special day in our family's life.

Autumn Front Porch

By Donna Nicely (Joelton, TN)

Photo courtesy of DonnaAutumn front porch

I love fall colors and I was inspired by your site so I decided to decorate just a little.

We have a scarecrow, a corn husk, a pumpkin and some mums. Danny put a ghost in there for the trick or treaters.